Mining museum workers extend strike into summer

About 40 workers at the National Coal Mining Museum have voted to remain on strike until June, a union has said.

Members of Unison at the museum in Wakefield walked out on 20 August calling for higher pay, and have been on strike ever since.

A recent ballot, with an 86% turnout, found 92% of unionised staff were in favour of extending industrial action for the third time, now until 26 June.

The museum, which is a charity, said it had "consistently engaged in constructive negotiations and dialogue with the aim of resolving the situation quickly".

A museum spokesperson said several offers had been made to staff and the organisation but these had been rejected by the union.

But Unison said staff had "no choice" but to continue striking as museum executive Lynn Dunning had "failed to return to negotiations with an acceptable offer".

It claimed only one revised pay proposal had been put forward and for many members of staff the terms were worse than a proposal rejected before the strike.

Yorkshire regional organiser Rianne Hooley said: "These workers won't be able to provide underground tours and tell their stories forever.

"They're determined to ensure a pay structure is put in place that will attract others to continue telling the story of coal mining when they're no longer able.

"It's vital the museum produces an acceptable offer so these workers can get back to doing what they do so well."

The museum said it was "saddened" by Unison's decision to announce the strike extension on Friday, when Dunning was meeting with arbitration service Acas to discuss a further offer.

"The charity remains committed to recognising expertise, rewarding the valuable contributions of all team members, and making decisions guided by fairness and affordability," it added.

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